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- How to use hypertext in the classroom
- =====================================
-
- Teaching may be described as a means of transmitting knowledge in ways and
- at a pace that students can acquire it. If you're reading this
- screen, then:
-
- ┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
- │ What in hypertext is similar to teaching? │
- │ What in hypertext is dissimilar to teaching? │
- └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
-
- For example, suppose students have access to a comprehensive hypertext
- system in a particular knowledge area. Here's some of the options available
- to teachers:
-
- Each student has a computer
- ===========================
-
- Ask for facts -- speed of responses measures understandings of how
- information is classified
-
- Ask for application -- tests understanding of relevancy of information
-
- Ask for exceptions -- tests understanding of the boundaries in the information
-
- Ask for comparison -- tests for integration of knowledge across the system
-
- Ask for improvements -- tests capability in expanding information
-
- Without hypertext, most teaching tests only the low-level thinking skills
- such as:
-
- Skill Measured Frequency
- ===== ======== =========
- memory can you repeat it 60% of most testing
- understanding can you describe 30% of most testing
- application how do you use it 10% of most testing
-
- With hypertext, the increased accessibility to information helps students
- move from issues of memory and understanding to thinking about the
- application of the information.
-
- However, if you want students to develop high-level thinking skills of
- analysis, synthesis, and evaluation; ask them to create a hypertext system
- in a certain subset of knowledge. They easily end up knowing more about
- that subject than you. <FILE52 INSIGHTS>
-
- Dangerous? Heck no -- a central goal of teaching is to teach others how
- to better teach themselves. While unexpected, increasing the capacity for
- others to learn may be the most important benefit from hypertext systems.
-
- Neil Larson 1/16/88 FILE42
- 44 Rincon Rd., Kensington, CA 94707
- Copyright MaxThink 1988 -- Call 415-428-0104 for permission to reprint
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